ONLINE STORIES

'Library Lion' is written by Michelle Knudsen, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes and read by Mindy Sterling. Miss Merriweather, the head librarian, is very particular about rules in the library. No running allowed. And you must be quiet. But when a lion comes to the library one day, no one is sure what to do. There aren't any rules about lions in the library. And, as it turns out, this lion seems very well suited to library visiting. His big feet are quiet on the library floor. He makes a comfy backrest for the children at story hour. And he never roars in the library, at least not anymore. But when something terrible happens, the lion quickly comes to the rescue in the only way he knows how. View the activity guide here: http://bit.ly/libraryLion Watch all of our videos at http://www.storylineonline.net/.

'The Hula-Hoopin' Queen' is written by Thelma Lynne Godin, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton and read by Oprah Winfrey. Kameeka is confident that today she will finally beat her rival, Jamara, and become the Hula-Hoopin’ Queen of 139th Street. But then Mama reminds her that today is their neighbor Miz Adeline’s birthday, and Kameeka has a ton of chores to do to get ready for the party they are hosting. Kameeka’s disappointed to be stuck at home and can only think about the hoopin’ competition. Distracted, Kameeka accidentally ruins Miz Adeline’s birthday cake, and has to confess to her that there won’t be a cake for her special day. But then Miz Adeline’s confesses something too: she’s also got the itch—the hula-hoopin’ itch! Her fingers start snappin’. Her hips start swingin’. Soon everyone’s hips are swinging as the party spills out onto the street. The whole neighborhood’s got the itch—the hula-hoopin’ itch! With vibrant illustrations by Vanessa Brantley-Newton, 'The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen' is a charming celebration of family and community ties. View the activity guide here: http://bit.ly/TheHulaHoopinQueen Watch all of our videos at http://www.storylineonline.net/.

'The Empty Pot' is written and illustrated by Demi and read by Rami Malek. The Chinese Emperor announces an unusual test to choose an heir—the child who raises the best flowers from a seed given by the Emperor will be his successor. Ping, unaccountably, is unable to get his seed to sprout—but Ping’s empty pot is best of all. View the activity guide here: http://bit.ly/TheEmptypot Watch all of our videos at http://www.storylineonline.net/.

'When a Dragon Moves In' is written by Jodi Moore, illustrated by Howard McWilliam and read by Mark Duplass. If you build a perfect sandcastle, a dragon will move in. And that’s exactly what happens to one very lucky boy at the beach. Dad is busy sunbathing and Mom is busy with her book, so the boy and dragon roam the beach together, flying a kite, braving the waves, and roasting marshmallows. But no one believes him when he shares the news of his magnificent dragon: Mom only hears the roar of the ocean, Dad thinks the dragon feather is a seagull feather, and know-it-all sis claims there’s no such thing as a dragon. That’s when the sandwiches mysteriously disappear, claw prints are found in the brownies, and dragon-giggles erupt from the strangest of places. Heh-heh-heh. Is there truly a mischievous dragon running around on the beach or is someone’s imagination running wild? Decide for yourself When a Dragon Moves In. View the activity guide here: https://bit.ly/WhenaDragonMovesIn Watch all of our videos at http://www.storylineonline.net/.

'Snappsy The Alligator' is written by Julie Falatko, illustrated by Tim Miller and read by David Harbour. Snappsy the alligator is having a normal day when a pesky narrator steps in to spice up the story. Is Snappsy reading a book ... or is he making CRAFTY plans? Is Snappsy on his way to the grocery store ... or is he PROWLING the forest for defenseless birds and fuzzy bunnies? Is Snappsy innocently shopping for a party ...or is he OBSESSED with snack foods that start with the letter P? What’s the truth? View the activity guide here: https://bit.ly/snappsythealligator Watch all of our videos at http://www.storylineonline.net/.

'Arnie the Doughnut' is written and illustrated by Laurie Keller and read by Chris O'Dowd. At first glance, Arnie looks like an average doughnut - round, cakey, iced and sprinkled, with a hole in the middle. He was made by one of the best bakeries in town, and admittedly his sprinkles are candy-colored. Still, a doughnut is just a doughnut, right? WRONG! Not if Arnie has anything to say about it. And, for a doughnut, he sure seems to have an awful lot to say. Can Arnie change the fate of all doughnuts - or at least have a hand in his own future? View the activity guide here: http://bit.ly/ArnietheDoughnut Watch all of our videos at http://www.storylineonline.net/.